Hawaiian legend Mike Stewart is looking to become the first surfer in history to get barreled in the secondary tube formed by certain waves. He shared all the details about this phenomenon in Punta del Este last Thursday night, during what was the third worldwide presentation of his work “Constructive Interference - The Final Manifestations of Wave Energy”.
After a lifetime spent in the water, the acclaimed bodyboarder and bodysurfer has racked up an incredible amount of knowledge. And, after spending the pandemic delving even deeper into the study of waves, he came to learn and understand all about the “secondary tube” that follows a tube wave. Basically, when the lip hits the surface of the water with enough energy, the whitewater that bounces off generates a second tube - and Mike’s goal is to ride on of these. This is, of course, quite a risky challenge, as the barrel forms in front of a solid wave that already broke.
During the conference, Stewart shared fascinating images of this second tube (see video below).
His findings, including the fact that these vortices are generated more frequently in glass and tubular conditions, has even caught the attention of scientists, as have his videos of whitewater disappearing on the shore - something he relates to black holes.
The audience at Chivipizza in Punta del Este were extremely interested in everything Stewart shared with them, and the Hawaiian was extremely open and happy to answer all their questions.
His years of tube riding have also allowed him to discover and share tons of valuable insight, such as a “safe spot” to abort mission during a closeout tube or a “safe chamber” that exists when a heavy tubular set breaks on your head. He even shared tips on how to duck dive during one of these sets to avoid getting sucked and pounded by the wave.
